Photos leaked by SamMobile show a sharp departure from the design of the Galaxy SmartTag 2. The new SmartTag 3 abandons the oblong shape and the generous attachment ring for a squircle profile with rounded corners, echoing the latest Galaxy Watch models. The absence of a hole or loop changes the way the device can be attached to keys, bags, and pet collars. In practice, almost every use case will require a separately sold accessory case.
A design that complicates everyday use
With the SmartTag 2, you simply slipped the loop onto a keyring or the zipper of a bag. The new SmartTag 3, however, offers no integrated attachment point. To secure it to any object, it must be placed in a holder or cover. This is a step backward from the previous solution, which required nothing extra. The total cost of ownership increases and the out-of-the-box convenience drops significantly. This is not a trivial detail, because the ease of attachment was one of the strong points of the Samsung tracker.
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Button present and smart features expected
The images clearly show a raised button on the surface of the tracker. As on the second generation, the button can make the phone or tablet ring, trigger smart home routines, and do much more. Samsung has not made any official statement, but the SmartTag 3 is expected to launch by the end of the year. The SmartTag 2 arrived in October 2023 and the successor will likely follow a similar timeline. Rumors also hint at a possible debut alongside the company's next foldables.
Expected performance and comparison with the predecessor
There are no details about the technical specifications, but it is reasonable to expect at least the same standards as the SmartTag 2. The latter boasts an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, a UWB chip for precise finding, and a battery that can last up to 700 days. The new model should match or exceed these values. The main limitation remains compatibility, because the SmartTag works only with Samsung smartphones and relies exclusively on the Galaxy network for location tracking. There is no support for open ecosystems like other trackers on the market.
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Unique advantages that the new design risks overshadowing
Despite the restrictions, the SmartTag 2 has features that set it apart from the competition. As my colleague Rita El Khoury noted in her reviews, it is the only tracker that provides location history without a subscription, the only one with smart home control, and the only one with augmented reality that uses the phone's camera to help find lost items. The SmartTag 3 should inherit these qualities, but the new loop-less shape could undermine them. Samsung's move closely resembles Apple's approach with the AirTag, which has always required accessories to be attached. For a deeper technical description of the device, check the Wikipedia page about SmartTag.
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If the leak is confirmed, the SmartTag 3 will lose part of its original simplicity. Anyone looking for a ready-to-use tracker will have to factor in an extra expense. In the meantime, the market is watching the upcoming Google Pixel Tag, a direct rival to Samsung's product. It remains to be seen whether the Korean giant will listen to user feedback before the official launch. The hope is that the final version will include an attachment point, even a small one, to avoid the need for cases. Samsung's next event may provide all the answers.
Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/amsung-smarttag-3s-new-squircle-design-is-a-step-backward
